I Sense a Disturbance

[Geneviève Lasedri]

She had never imagined at any point that she would be willfully consulting the Jedi about government affairs. In fact, she was the one who had called for the removal of the Order from the political realm in all aspects. Though there was nothing about this meeting against her proclaimed values, it still felt at odds to her.

But she was changing. Seven years in office--had that softened her up? Maybe, though Geneviève was still known as a warhawk in every sense of the word, her policies edging on a total war approach by this time. This war with the Sith needed to be over. Just about anything could be justified on the Republic's end at this point. Concepts for superweapons had even passed her desk a few times, though Lasedri could not rationalize quite that extensive of action yet. But there were certainly some things of the sort on the drawing board.

The war at home, though--that was what caused the most grief. In a time of galactic turmoil, it seemed the Senate had better things to do than ensure that the Republic was united and standing strong against an exterior enemy and not causing havoc in the interior. No, someone always had to raise a fuss about Geneviève's military policies or another senator's push for more action and less miserly credit-counting. Children.

And here came a beast of a proposition in the Senate. Some coalition of rather silent and habitually unresponsive politicians had decided to form a party that would not only kick Lasedri out, but disperse the Jedi Order. There had been a time when Gen thought the Jedi were worthless--and indeed, they were--but they had returned with fervor of late, and the Republic's leader was now forced to admit that they were essential to the nation's survival. Besides, no one had made an impact on her like the Grandmaster had.

She was ready to ask for help. After all these years of doing things her way and only her way, Gen was finally willing to have a little humility and seek out what she believed to be wise counsel.

The Prime Minister paced the floor of the Senatorial Building's atrium, emptied out just for her so that she was alone with naught but the echo of the centerpiece water fountain's splashing. The crystal-clear water sparkled brilliantly as each drop passed through the rays of sunlight permitted by the skylights, and Lasedri realized she had never actually appreciated such a thing. She ran a hand through one of the spouting streams.

This what the kids do? She pulled out a credit chip from her pocket and flipped it a couple times. How would you know, Gen? You were never a kid. The raven-haired woman then tossed the money piece into the artificial pond.

She took a heavy breath as she watched the chip sink and blinked back what she was afraid were the onset of tears. Definitely getting soft. "I wish I frakking knew what life is..."

[member="Corvus Raaf"], [member="Kian Karr"], [member="Taeli Raaf"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

A member of her staff breezed into the room at great walking speed, the rushed sound of his masculine footsteps denoting that there was an urgency in his mission. Of all the times. "The Jedi are delayed, I assume?" she asked before he could even attain a close proximity.

"Not to my knowledge, Madame Prime Minister." The well-structured but just slightly overweight man stopped almost exactly three meters from the Republic's leader, hands falling to his sides as he took up a straight-backed stance of a military man. Ytrellis Czecznya had served as a major in the Marine Corps and was now her defense advisory counselor. Which made this unannounced meeting very curious. "This is more about news on the home front, ma'am."

Gen took another look at the fountain, then focused her complete attention on Ytrellis, hands digging into her pockets as she mentally filed through all the possibilities of what could have happened. "Where was it?"

"Chandrila, ma'am." Ytrellis was not a dumb man, and he could see the slackening in Lasedri's jaw and practically sense the tautening of nerves within her body. She had every stake in that world, so close to the Sith. Perhaps it was a wonder that they had not attacked yet. And they still had not, but he needed to quickly make sure that was understood. "The planet's alright, ma'am. The Sith have not attacked."

"Scouting parties, then? Or is it the Mandos now?"

No. No, and no. The truth was, the news Ytrellis had was more effective on Geneviève herself than on the population. How would he tell her? He supposed he just had to do it. "Ma'am, your father died yesterday."

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus arrived in the Prime Minister's outer office and saw the door to her room was open.

That in itself was unsurprising. The fact the receptionist said she was expected was however. So Corvus wandered in and realised she'd stepped into the end of a conversation and held back, allowing it to end.

But she had a lot on her mind and this chat was long overdue. Perhaps the servant was too polite for her own good? But things needed to be said. Explained. And challenged.

Like the moves underway to ensure the Jedi were self -funded. And the politician's desire to publicly honour a Jedi that could easily be expelled from the Order - his case was precarious. And perhaps the main reason was the Republic itself. The Jedi serve because they care about peace. About democracy. About civilisation.

Yet more and more leading figures within the Republic were allegedly either Sith or Dark Jedi. Palpatine was opposed once his true nature was exposed yet here they were openly welcoming Dark Jedi to represent the Republic. To Corvus it made no sense. Perhaps the PM could shed some light. For the Grand Master had considered the puzzle from many angles and could not find a logical solution.

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

It was too sudden to her. Her father was dead with not even a warning. Or had she missed it within the files upon files she sorted through daily? No one alerted her until now? It could not be.

"How'd he die?" Gen asked, dull-faced and looking about as disturbed as she had before--meaning, hardly at all. She hated her father. At least, she thought she did. But something had been struck below, and suddenly one of the most obstinate women the galaxy may have ever seen began to doubt the conviction in that. If she truly hated her father, would she not be sadistically joyful? Or at least comforted? But she felt neither of these things. She had not endeavored to reform any relationship with him for over a decade, and now there was the slightest hint of something she had only just recently been reacquainted with. Regret.

"They're saying it was a stroke. Most likely stress-related, though alcohol is also being considered as a complicating factor." The man simply pressed his lips together and awaited his bidding by the Prime Minister. But she made no motion or speech. "I'm sorry to deliver this news, ma'am."

She awake from her near-trance and waved him off. "No. No, it's fine. I'd have to find out eventually." What was she to do now? "You're dismissed..."

Ytrellis nodded--though not so confidently--and strode away, leaving Lasedri alone. Though, as it would turn out, she was not actually alone. It took her a moment, but she sensed something about the room that was not there before, even before Ytrellis had visited. Perhaps it was the Jedi?

She turned about slowly and recognized the Grandmaster standing far back to give her room. But who cared about space now? "Corvus..." she uttered, taking slow steps towards her Jedi friend. Her tone did not affirm the words that followed from her lips, but she truly meant them as she spoke them in this moment. "Good to see you." She decided to push her confused emotions deep inside, wishing to avoid a potentially vulnerable situation like she had allowed last time they had met. She was a tough woman yet. It was time to put her dad on the shelf for now and take care of business like business should be handled.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus had overheard enough to know when the best approach was to say nothing. Given their time together on Ossus, she knew that if the Prime Minister wanted advice or even some empathy - she was the sort to ask for it.

So Corvus took a seat. "I appreciate you finding the time to see me." She refrained from her usual smile given the circumstances. "So I'll come straight to the point."

"I understand the Jedi are a popular topic in the Senate of late - which neither concerns me nor is my concern. What is bothering me is two-fold. One is an apparent interest to meddle in Jedi affairs, and I think a good example was the recent award of a medal to someone who is currently under investigation for allegedly not following our Code."

"The second is the Republic's choice of allies. We serve democracy and civilisation. We are peace-keepers. Yet the Republic chooses to ally itself to those that choose to follow the Dark-side."

There were no questions specifically. Just facts for the Prime Minister to reflect on and respond accordingly.

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Gen remained standing for a while, even after the Jedi Master had taken to the ready guest chair, gazing out one of the windows as if she could see Chandrila from her. But it was for naught. And so, she eventually took her own seat across from her caller and gave credence to each word as best she could. It was not like her father's death had truly thrown her off-track. But it would be folly to believe that she was apathetic about it, either. It would at least linger in her mind throughout the conversation.

"I may have expected this," she confessed after Corvus had presented her concerns. Or simple 'observations', as she tried to cast them. Gen knew better. "Though, let's approach the second topic first, as I'm not aware of this.

"Who are these allies? And how is it determined what is this 'dark side'?" She actually fidgeted slightly, unsure of what was being implied. Or what Corvus may consider 'dark'. "Are you saying there are Sith within the ranks of the Silver Jedi? That would not be disturbing at all..." Some days, it seemed like perhaps the Republic was all that was left. And that was why Gen would fight; do almost anything to defend it from the veritable forces of hell knocking on the door.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus nodded as the PM replied. She was invariably a level-headed person and would listen to a logical argument. They were alike in this regard.

“It has come to my attention – either through observation on the battle-field, or via recruitment bulletins that those who follow the Dark-side are choosing the Republic’s cause. We have Dark Jedi fighting during Invasions under the Republic banner. We have Dark Jedi looking to attack the One Sith and using the Republic as their cause.”

“We of the Jedi Order are opposed to the Dark-side, in all its forms. There is, essentially, no difference between a Sith and a Dark Jedi. Both use the Dark-side of the Force. You could argue semantics about politics – but it would be tenuous.”

“And I see Force-users on the battlefield – not Jedi I hasten to add – shooting first and asking questions later. Quite literally. This is not the Jedi way and is, I suspect, not even the military’s chosen approach.”

“Now…we are servants of the Republic. I do not come here demanding anything. The Senate chooses its allies. But think on this from an outsider’s perspective? What is the Republic? Is it a democracy that is sworn to uphold peace and remain on the Light-side? For that is what the Jedi swore to defend…with our lives. For Jedi to die defending Sith and Dark Jedi? It is an affront to the Code. Yes we defend all life but surely even a lay-person can see the difference? We do not serve those who follow the Dark-side and our Code of Conduct dictates we oppose the Dark-side, not protect it.”

“So I am not talking about the Silver Jedi. I am talking of the Mandalorians. And the Republic itself.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Gen could practically be equated with an atheist, ironically enough, despite the fact that she possessed the gift of manipulation through the Force herself. All this philosophy was irrelevant in her mind. She believed in right and wrong--natural morals and the like--but this 'light side' and 'dark side' theory was nothing she had delved into personally, nor had she pretended to understand it. "You are saying this 'dark side' is the driving force behind the Sith? And that anyone else who adheres to this mindset is also a Sith by nature?" Geneviève folded her hands and set them on the desktop after remotely closing the door for more assured privacy. "Who are these people? And how have Sith been permitted to infiltrate the Republic in so bold a manner?"

All beliefs aside, Gen hated Sith with an insatiable passion. Her brown eyes stared into Corvus' for a moment before she diverted her gaze towards her datapad, tapping randomly at incoming messages absently. "I'm confused, or I at least do not understand--however you may want to put it, Corvus." Her lips were pursed in a grim expression, betraying frustration. Yet her brows spoke of a conflicting emotion: shame. That of an abashed puppy.

Oh, she had known exactly what she was doing when she had pardoned and awarded the man. She had defied the Jedi Order's wishes and had been completely aware of it all along. The two women--both regarded symbolically as ravens, oddly enough--likely held the same objective, yet their viewpoints were hardly identical. Corvus spoke of passiveness and defense, while Geneviève had always walked the path of the belligerent warrior. If Corvus represented Peace, Geneviève represented Justice. "I see no wrong with what I did or what that man did. I cannot punish a man for protecting the Republic from an enemy of his victim's kind. As grisly as the death may have been, it was far from inhumane--as if a Sith deserves our courtesy anyway."

She turned her eyes directly towards Corvus' and laid her hands flat. There was no reproach or anger in her tone. In fact, it evidenced a hint of reluctance. "Do you fear me, Corvus?" she asked softly with sincere concern. "Because he did what I would have done."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus sighed. She was beginning to feel like a dinosaur, despite her age. She was in her mid-twenties but had lived three lifetimes longer than that it seemed.

“Do not worry yourself that you made the best decision, or the right one or the wrong one. The Council has been divided on what was the correct course of action. My only concern was that it would have been logical to consult with me first. His bounty was broadcast all over the news. There were calls to hand him over for war crimes.”

“What if we banished him from the Order? Think what political capital your opponents would make of it. All I ask is that you let me know what you’re doing when it comes to Jedi matters.”

“We have long received Senate funding. In theory it ensures impartiality. We may own our own buildings but the cost of power, food, the use of ships and such like, the tax-payer funds these. And in a way, long may it continue. But I have taken steps to ensure that, if required, we could be self-funded. Through charitable donations. Our numbers are a lot smaller than they ever were. Our costs are probably the lowest they have been in decades – if not hundreds of years.”

“It is a contingency. We are the conscience of the Republic, not its puppet. We are not the Military, or else we would wear Republic uniforms and have a rank. But we fulfil a similar role.”

Corvus sighed again, clearly the subject was weighing heavily on her. “Of late our numbers have dwindled. People don’t seem to want to follow the Code any more. There is talk of making the requirement optional. I don’t know if it’ll happen but I for one will be sad to see us change what we are at the core. But I’ve been told I must be more pragmatic.” She wrinkled her nose.

“I just needed to let you know how actions in Senate affect the Jedi as surely as if you instructed us. And no, by the way. I do not fear you. Only you can fear you. People do what they do and if there is truth between their heart and the Force, then they can sleep easy. The night you can’t? That’s the time you should be fearful. For you’d be on the path to the Dark-side.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Communication had been an issue between her own father and herself, recalling now. Had it been her fault all along? Here was Raaf, telling her she had transgressed against the Jedi Order--not for her actions, but for her failure to alert them of her intentions. But Dad had always been gone. Could it really be Gen's own fault in both circumstances? Surely not. It was Daddy's fault. It was. She had loved him at one time. It had to be his fault if he lost her love. Right?

Right? That much was obvious, she supposed. "There are some things I just do because I think it's the best thing. Maybe not the 'good' thing. But I try. I don't even know your Code, to be honest. My duty is to protect the most for the least cost. If that means murdering someone to keep them from utterly destroying the Republic? Then that is what I must do.

"You have a faith in people that I don't. I hardly trust a soul. There's always someone waiting behind that corner to betray you." Gen pursed her lips, seeing how that applied to Corvus as well, even if she was so much more welcoming of people. "I can see how you may think I am doing that to you. I don't understand the Jedi. Maybe I never will. As unpleasant as it is, sowing death is sometimes the only option--even heroic on occasion.

"Some people deserve no forgiveness. You know I believe that because I was hesitant to even let you welcome reformed Sith into your Order. I'm a warrior, Corvus. I fought the insurgent war before I even dreamed of sitting in politics. I hardly deserve forgiveness, and I hardly sleep soundly."

And what are you going to do about it?

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened. She didn’t judge, she never did. But then she never leaped to people’s defence either. You couldn’t have it both ways.

“I trust in the Force,” she said, slowly, once the PM had finished. “Not people, the Force. I was once told that people let you down. Governments let you down and even you let you down. But the Force never lets you down. And in the dozen years since I was told that? It holds true.”

“My best friend was too weak to remain on the Light-side. I would have told you once I trusted her with my life. And I did, on many occasions, willingly. But now?” She shrugged – a glassy look in her eyes.

“And then there are these rumours we’ll do a deal with the Sith and cease hostilities. Allow them to kill tens of millions of innocents, as long as it doesn’t include a Republic citizen? Explain to me how that’s right? How that’s for the greater good?”

She looked away. “I have even started to doubt the Code. Or rather not the Code but some teachings. Is there a Light-side and a Dark-side – or just good and evil use of the Force?”

She looked back at Gen.

“I cannot offer you forgiveness as I am in no position to give it. My whole life is conflicted. What I thought I stood for is eroding.” She smiled weakly. “Yes..we are a fine pair.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Maybe it was her guilty conscience triggering. Or maybe there was something admonishing under the layers of Corvus' tone. It was one time in which Geneviève's perception was skewed, either through the path of this conversation or by the restlessness which had awakened inside her with the news of her father's passing. Was there a hint of distress? Did she actually care about him to allow the thought to distract her from the core of Corvus' approach? Dark forces... Dark Force?

No. As soon as the Jedi mentioned the alternative philosophy, she found her own views reinforced. If a Jedi doubted these 'Light Side and Dark Side' theories, why should she not as well?

What mattered was the use of the Force. And she wholeheartedly believed that same reasoning was applicable to anything else in life; the government, even. How far could she go? How far would she go? The Grandmaster was correct in everything about this pseud-pacifism the Sith wished to promote. There would be no peace. The Republic would still be at war even in the absence of invasions. And the people behind enemy lines--the people whom this very Galactic Republic had vowed to protect if those said people pledged themselves to the unity of the nation--would know no peace as they feared for their lives every day. There were gruesome recordings received from Sith territory. Millions slaughtered like cattle. "The frakking hell am I allowing the Republic to agree to this 'peace' if I have anything to do with it. You have my word on that, Corvus.

"I'm afraid my morality may have faded long ago. I'm not sure I believe in much of anything except whatever the Sith don't believe in. I don't expect forgiveness from anyone. I've done what I've done. The fact that you bother to see me is consolation enough."

The Prime Minister grabbed a bottle of wine that was in far too convenient proximity to suggest its innocence. Her hand shook and the red liquid inside could be seen lapping at the insides of its glass vessel. "I shouldn't have any of this," Gen mumbled as she regretfully put it back. "My father died yesterday. I honestly don't know that I feel anything about it. But it has made me wonder what my stature truly is.

"Maybe you and I are the last voices. Maybe our Republic is dead."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus heard the words and also the meaning. They no doubt shared a view. Genocide to create an alchemical basin was not permissible just because no Republic citizens were killed in the making. A Jedi could not turn a blind-eye just because Senate thought it was OK. But they were loyal servants, so Corvus predicted much inner turmoil should the situation arise.

The news of the PMs father was troubling. In part because Corvus didn’t know precisely what she should do. She was known for giving impartial and straight-talking advice as opposed to support and succour.

What worried her was the hint of resignation in the PMs voice. If you cut her in half, you’d see Republic written right through her. And right now, they needed more like her…not fewer.

Corvus closed her eyes for a few seconds. Without opening them, she replied. “The Jedi are sworn servants of the Republic. For as long as the government is democratic and believes in peace, we shall serve. The moment it ceases to represent those things? Then we shall fight to return them to their rightful place at the centre of the Republic’s manifesto. I cannot see any other path right now.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Gen's eyes darted back to her unopened wine bottle, its watery red contents tempting her to indulge and clock out of her stress. She had never been an imbiber before, and only twice in her life could she recall ever getting drunk--until a few weeks ago. She knew it was not helping anything. But no one had ever helped her. She had always helped herself.

Except for the woman sitting before her. She was the only one who had ever ventured to support Lasedri on a personal level. And that was why she was special to Gen as more than an asset, but a friend. There were no feelings that she held in regards to Raaf, but they seemed to have a mutual understanding; perhaps even a unity in a sense, despite what they may or may not have agreed upon. It mattered little what Corvus thought of her politics, to be honest. No one else had ever given her their time and most candid camaraderie on a regular basis like the Grandmaster.

Her eyes returned to make direct contact with her visitor, uncertainty burrowing into her chocolate irises. "I'm not so certain democracy is the divine concept we've been told it is..." she absently muttered. "Too many directions and enough voices to drown each other out. The collective can't reach a definite conclusion. Thankfully, I'm running a republic.

"I can't forget why I signed up for this job. I'm here to protect my home and all I know that is stable and... right. Call it my livelihood. I'm not sure I'll be able to live once this war is all over--if we even survive it."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus brow furrowed. This was not what she wanted to hear – and wondered if the PM had had a recent change of heart, or the Jedi was simply privy to information previously bottled up. For this was not the politician she had heard of, or of late come to know.

This was one that was entirely more vulnerable.

“A Republic is still a democracy, isn’t it?" It was as much a question as a statement. Corvus did not have a political bone in her body – and even if she did, she was banned from using it.

It always surprised her when other Orders looked at her and wondered how she dealt with the politics when, from their perspective, they were free of them. Oddly Corvus held entirely the opposite view. The Republic Order was a servant. They did not decide what was good or bad for the citizens. They did not decide which planets deserved support and which should be left to flounder. They did not have to choose which causes to support, which blind eyes had to be turned or which Governments were honest and supportable and which were to be opposed. How that made her political, she never knew. For other groups of Jedi seemed to make these decisions on a daily basis. Decisions she left to politicians. The logic was inescapable for the Grand Master.

None of which resolved the matter in hand. “I always say there is truth between my heart and the Force. And for as long as there is, I can sleep easy at night. I know you’re not a Jedi, but if there is truth between your heart and your beliefs, then you are doing the right things. If there is conflict? Then you truly have problems.”

“Today I am the Grand Master. In fifty years time I won’t be. Me moving on…or dying, which amounts to the same thing. Well, that’s a given. All we have to debate is the timing. I suspect you’ll know.” Corvus touched her chest. “In here.” She then tapped her head. “Don’t listen to this one, it can lie.”

“And this war you speak of? It’s been raging since the beginning of time. Anyone who believes it is about to end is sadly mistaken. If not the Republic as we know it, something or someone will oppose evil. And I didn’t say the Sith, just evil. For it takes many forms – those that follow the Dark-side being just one. So don’t expect to win or lose the war all by yourself. History will paint you as a saint and a sinner in equal measures. Only perspective will differentiate.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"In truth, a republic isn't exactly a democracy, though it's often confused as one," Gen explained. "A democracy is steered utterly by majority rule. Whereas a republic is ruled by officials democratically elected. In theory, the Senate and I can do whatever we want, but the threat of the people recalling a senator keeps us in line." The Prime Minister pursed her lips, eyes very soft in comparison to the razor-sharp, scornful gaze she so often maintained. "Sounds like a tender ship, doesn't it?" Yet it was the only formula that had ever allowed a nation to thrive for more than a few centuries.

But that was what her head knew. She knew the mechanics of politics and the operations of war. She even knew the devices of peace that were really not peaceful at all. But did she know herself? Did she love herself? The answer was no. What Gen believed was only in her head. Don't listen to this one, it can lie.

"I'm lost, Corvus." There. She admitted to it. Where was her heart? Perhaps no one knew. It certainly was not with her mother, and it had apparently not been with her father either. Was there anything left for this shell that she was--this prideful, arrogant, malevolent shell? "I am nothing without what you see here. I'm amazed that you have any faith in me at all. Why do you believe me? I've done so little for you."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened to the PM as she explained the differences in political terms between a democracy and a republic. To Corvus’ ears they still sounded broadly the same – but then she was no aficionado and cared little for the subtleties.

And then the Grand Master shook her head. “You are not lost. Not as I see it. I sense you are afraid. Afraid to ignore your head and listen to your heart.” She smiled.

“I’m a fine one to talk, but of late I’ve learned to do just that. Not so much ignore my brain but to consider what my emotions tell me. Invariably they are congruous with my mind. But every now and then they are not. And this permits me to consider all sides to situations. Like the view of Jedi towards those that use the Dark-side of the Force. Is that inherently evil? No. But I digress.”

“And you’ll find there is a whole lot more of you than is on display here. You are successful and could no doubt turn your hand to other pursuits. You have a gift that you hide away. That is another avenue for you.”

“And I never judge people by what they do for me. I am a Jedi. I do not judge, but if I considered you and what you have achieved, I would see someone that has done a huge amount for the Republic. Universally liked? I hope not. People who are like that tend to achieve nothing.”

“So I believe you because you are believable. That you can’t see it for yourself is troubling but not uncommon.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

"I am afraid," Geneviève whispered, raking her fingers through her dark locks. "When I last looked into my heart, I became what you saw last time we met. I'm a wreck. There's no reason to go there." Again, her eyes found the wine bottle to her left. This time, she fetched it and actually decapitated it, pouring its crimson fluid into an available glass. She did not drink for sport, but to quieten her heart. She was trying to escape her own soul since it had awakened. "And if I should listen to my heart, will I be a good leader any longer?"

The Prime Minister offered her Jedi visitor a glass and nudged the bottle towards her. "Chandrilan red. It's from where I grew up."

"You may not judge me, but I judge all the time. I suppose it's part of my job, but I was doing so long before this. And maybe I'm a lesser person because of it." A dose of wine passed through her lips and wet her tongue. Her eyebrows furrowed upon accepting the taste, and she checked the bottle to verify the age. It was the right age; the year she had come to prefer, yet the wine seemed somewhat bitter in this moment. "But I beg you to judge me now. Is it right for me to hide away my gift? Is it wrong?"

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus listened and accepted the wine but did not drink it. Not yet at least.

She shook her head slightly. Almost imperceptibly – but it was there. “It is a sure fire way to the Dark-side to deny your heart. Which might sound odd but the Code is clear. There is passion. But a Jedi acts not just on what their heart tells them. They balance that with the greater good.”

“To deny your heart indefinitely is to put you in a lonely place. Believe me, I know.” Corvus stared into the distance, her eyes not appearing to focus on anything. “If you deny your emotions you will bottle them up and they’ll come and find you at the least opportune moment. They always do.”

“I am not truly saying only follow your heart. But consider its counsel at last. If you believe what you are doing is wrong because your heart says it is? Then listen to it. The greater good is the Jedi’s goal, as is yours no doubt. But the end does not always justify the means and that’s when your head can lead you astray.”

“With the balances and checks that you are so fond of, you may see an alternative. Your heart is your balance. Your sense of right and wrong your check. As a Jedi you would learn this.”

“But if you believe your duty is to the Senate, then you must do what you must do. If you reach the right destination, the route and timing is potentially secondary. Unless your heart or you head says otherwise. Then you must reconcile them.”

“I cannot and will not judge you. But I will hold up a mirror. For you need to judge yourself.”

[member="Geneviève Lasedri"]

 

[Geneviève Lasedri]

Checks and balances, checks and balances, checks and balances...

The notion was on her mind quite often these days. She had always been noted as a sort of champion for sentient rights. In some circles, Geneviève was known as a champion of socialist and communal philosophies that the galaxy had yet to embrace. Yes, it even mocked her, though they could not know it was indeed the woman of the Lasedri line. Yet she could not honestly deny that she had broken her own rules; killed in bitter, icy cold blood. No, she had not been unnecessarily cruel--of that she was blameless. But she had been a self-appointed judicator; vindicator. Was that a person who belonged in the chair overseeing the Republic?

Of all things, there was one that was most questionable to her. Six faces she had massacred. They were going to die anyway. Was it right for her to kill them in the name of Mercy? Did that make her a murderer? What people might do if they found out the little details of their Prime Minister's past...

This 'dark side' kept being brought up. Apparently it was important to Corvus and those of her mindset--likely the Jedi. "What is the dark side? To you." She shook her wine glass a little but neglected to drink from it again. "Am I a sinner to the Jedi? Are you happy as a Jedi?"

And as for her loyalties--she penetrated the shield about her heart, if only for a moment, to retrieve her true, sincere answer. "Damn the Senate. My loyalty is to my Republic and my friend."

[member="Corvus Raaf"]